Facts Aboust Chemical
Pesticides Used in Mosquito Spraying

Scourge (resmethrin)
and Anvil (sumethrin) are both synthetic pyrethroids, which
break down faster than malathion, but they are all neurotoxins
which pose risks to humans, especial children. The pyrethroids
also can cause reactions in athsma sufferers and those
allergic to them.

Malathion is
an organophosphate, it can affect the nervous system, immune
system, adrenal glands, liver, and blood. Malathion was the
third most common cause of pesticide related illness in California
from 1981 to 1985. During spraying in Florida there were 230 reports
of adverse health effects, 123 were classified as possible or
probable pesticide related illness. These included
asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, rashes,
and at least one gastrointestinal complaint and one neurological
symptom. Because of the potential health effects of Malathion
it should be used only as a last resort.

All are broad-spectrum
insecticides. They can kill natural predators of mosquitoes,
such as dragonflies, damselflies, and beetles. According to the
president of the American Mosquito Control Association, excessive
spraying can exacerbate or cause mosquito problems by eliminating
natural predators. They are also toxic to aquatic life, and
could kill fish that eat mosquito larvae.